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House of Commons Session 1998-1999
Commons Journal 255
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 518 1998-1999 Volume 255
[No. 136.]
Monday 25th October 1999.
The House met at half-past Two o' clock.
PRAYERS.
1 Financial Services and Markets Bill (Suspension),—A Motion was made and the Question being put, That the following provisions shall apply to the Financial Services and Markets Bill:
1. Standing Committee A shall report the Bill to the House, so far as then amended, not later than Thursday 11th November.
2. On the report of the Bill to the House in accordance with paragraph 1, further proceedings on the Bill shall be suspended until the next Session of Parliament.
3. If a Bill is presented in the next Session in the same terms as the Bill reported to the House in accordance with paragraph 1, it shall be read the first and second time without Question put, shall be ordered to be printed, and shall stand committed, in respect of those clauses and schedules not ordered to stand part of the Bill in this Session, to a Standing Committee of the same Members as the Members of the Standing Committee on the Bill in this Session—(Paddy Tipping);
The House proceeded to a Division.
Mr Mike Hall and Mr David Jamieson were appointed Tellers for the Ayes, and Mr Eric Forth was appointed Teller for the Noes, but no Member being willing to act as a second Teller for the Noes, the Deputy Speaker declared that the Ayes had it.
Ordered, That the following provisions shall apply to the Financial Services and Markets Bill:
3. If a Bill is presented in the next Session in the same terms as the Bill reported to the House in accordance with paragraph 1, it shall be read the first and second time without Question put, shall be ordered to be printed, and shall stand committed, in respect of those clauses and schedules not ordered to stand part of the Bill in this Session, to a Standing Committee of the same Members as the Members of the Standing Committee on the Bill in this Session.
2 Thursday Sittings,—Ordered, That, in the next Session of Parliament, the Standing Orders and practice of the House shall have effect subject to the modifications set out below:
(1) The House shall meet on Thursdays at half-past Eleven o'clock, and will first proceed with Private Business, Motions for Unopposed Returns and Questions;
(2) proceedings on business on Thursdays shall be interrupted at Seven o'clock; and
(3) in their application to Thursday sittings of the House, reference to a specified time in the Standing Orders shall be interpreted as reference to a time three hours before the time so specified, save that reference to half-past Ten o'clock shall be substituted for reference to Twelve o'clock in Standing Order No. 24 (Adjournment on a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration).—(Paddy Tipping.)
3 Meetings of Standing Committees,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That, in the next Session of Parliament, the Standing Orders and practice of the House shall have effect subject to the modifications set out below:
Standing Committees shall have leave to sit at any hour and notwithstanding any adjournment of the House, subject to the following provisions:
(a) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays when the House is sitting, no Standing Committee sitting at Westminster shall sit between the hours of One o'clock and half-past Three o'clock, except as provided in paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 88 (Meetings of standing committees); and
(b) on Thursdays when the House is sitting, no Standing Committees sitting at Westminster shall sit between the hours of half-past Eleven o'clock and half-past Twelve o'clock, except as provided in paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 88 (Meetings of standing committees), with the substitution in that paragraph of "half-past Eleven o'clock" for "One o'clock" and "a quarter to Twelve o'clock" for "a quarter past One o'clock"—(Paddy Tipping);
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The Question was amended, as follows:
In line 11, by leaving out the words 'half-past' and inserting the words 'twenty-five minutes past';
In line 14, by leaving out the words 'half-past' and inserting the words 'twenty-five minutes past'; and
In line 14, by leaving out the words 'a quarter' and inserting the words 'twenty minutes'.—(Mr Nicholas Winterton.)
And the Main Question, as amended, being put;
Ordered, That, in the next Session of Parliament, the Standing Orders and practice of the House shall have effect subject to the modifications set out below:
(b) on Thursdays when the House is sitting, no Standing Committee sitting at Westminster shall sit between the hours of twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock and half-past Twelve o'clock, except as provided in paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 88 (Meetings of standing committees) with the substitution in that paragraph of 'twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock', for 'One o'clock' and 'twenty minutes to Twelve o'clock' for 'a quarter past One o'clock'.
4 Sittings in Westminster Hall,—Ordered, That there shall be no sittings in Westminster Hall under the terms of the Order [24th May] until Tuesday 30th November.
Ordered, That, following the Order [24th May], Mr Nicholas Winterton, Mr John McWilliam, Frank Cook and Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody be appointed to act as additional Deputy Speakers at sittings in Westminster Hall during the next Session.—(Paddy Tipping.)
5 Questions to Ministers,—Resolved, That, subject always to the discretion of the Chair, and in addition to the established rules of order on the form and content of Questions, Questions may not be tabled on matters for which responsibility has been devolved by legislation to the Scottish Parliament or the National Assembly for Wales unless the Question:
(a) seeks information which the United Kingdom Government is empowered to require of the devolved executive, or
(b) relates to matters which:
(i) are included in legislative proposals introduced or to be introduced in the United Kingdom Parliament,
(ii) are concerned with the operation of a concordat or other instrument of liaison between the Government and the devolved executive, or
(iii) United Kingdom Government ministers have taken an official interest in, or
(c) presses for action by United Kingdom ministers in areas in which they retain administrative powers.—(Paddy Tipping.)
6 Select Committees (Devolution),—Ordered, That Standing Order No. 151 (Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee)) be amended as follows:
In line 22, to leave out the words "and not required to be laid before or to be subject to proceedings in this House only" and insert the words "and not within paragraph (10) of this order";
In line 23, at the end, to insert the words "any statutory instrument made by a member of the Scottish Executive or by the National Assembly for Wales unless it is required to be laid before Parliament or either House of Parliament and not including".
Ordered, That Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments) be amended as follows:
In item 12 of the table, to leave out the words in column 2 and insert the words "Scotland Office (including (i) relations with the Scottish Parliament and (ii) administration and expenditure of the offices of the Advocate General for Scotland (but excluding individual cases and advice given within government by the Advocate General))"; and
In item 16 of the table, in column 2, after "Welsh Office" add the words "(Office of the Secretary of State for Wales (including relations with the National Assembly for Wales))".—(Paddy Tipping.)
7 Advocate General for Scotland,—Ordered, That Standing Order No. 87 (Attendance of law officers and ministers in standing committees) be amended as follows:
In line 1, to leave out the words "the Lord Advocate, Mr Solicitor General and Mr Solicitor General for Scotland" and insert the words "the Advocate General and Mr Solicitor General".
Ordered, That Standing Order No. 149 (Committee on Standards and Privileges) be amended as follows:
In line 58, to leave out the words "the Lord Advocate, Mr Solicitor General and Mr Solicitor General for Scotland" and insert the words "the Advocate General and Mr Solicitor General".—(Paddy Tipping.)
8 Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Tuesday 26th October, paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments) shall apply to proceedings on the Motions in the name of Mr William Hague as if that day were one of the Opposition Days allotted under paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business).—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)
9 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from John Blackman and others for legislation relating to the dates on which benefits may be treated as having been paid was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
10 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till nine minutes past Nine o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 9.09 p.m.
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 22nd October 1999 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of Command Papers):
1 Treaty Series (No. 68, 1999),—Protocol, done at Montreal on 10th May 1984, relating to an Amendment to the Convention on International Civil Aviation [Cm. 4463] [Mr Secretary Cook].
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 22nd October 1999 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of Statutory Instruments):
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
2 Police,—(1) Royal Ulster Constabulary (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.R.(N.I.), 1999, No. 412), and
(2) Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve (Full-time) (Appointment and Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.R.(N.I.), 1999, No. 411),
dated 4th October 1999 [Mr Secretary Mandelson].
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 25th October 1999:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
3 Legal Services,—Draft Chartered Institute of Patent Agents Order 1999 [by Act] [Mr David Lock].
4 Constitutional Law,—National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) (No. 2) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2787), dated 12th October 1999 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett].
5 European Communities,—European Communities (Designation) (No. 3) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2788), dated 12th October 1999 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett].
6 Legal Services,—Legal Services Ombudsman (Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2905), dated 25th October 1999 [by Act] [Mr David Lock].
7 Local Government,—(1) Local Government Residuary Body (England) (Winding Up) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2890), dated 21st October 1999, and
(2) Major Precepting Authorities (Excessive Budget Requirements—Payments) (England) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2842), dated 18th October 1999
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
8 Ministers of the Crown,—(1) Transfer of Functions (Nuclear Installations) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2786), and
(2) Transfer of Functions (Scientific Research) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No 2785),
dated 12th October 1999 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett].
9 National Health Service,—(1) Community Health Councils (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2906), dated 23rd October 1999, and
(2) Cornwall Healthcare National Health Service Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2909), dated 22nd October 1999
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].
10 Telecommunications,—(1) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Carrier One Ltd) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2872),
(2) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Farland Services UK Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2866),
(3) Public Telecommunication System Designation (GC Pan European Crossing UK Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2865),
(4) Public Telecommunication System Designation (ICO Services Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2871),
(5) Public Telecommunication System Designation (IFC Global (UK) Ltd) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2876),
(6) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Kingston Communications (Hull) PLC) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2868),
(7) Public Telecommunication System Designation (MTU Inform Europe Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2867),
(8) Public Telecommunication System Designation (PLDncompass Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2875),
(9) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Swisscom (UK) Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2873),
(10) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Tele2 Communications Services Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2869),
(11) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Telia UK Ltd) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2874), and
(12) Public Telecommunication System Designation (USA Global Link (UK) Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2870),
dated 18th October 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
Other Papers:
11 Development of Tourism,—Statement of appointment of a member of the English Tourist Board (known as the English Tourism Council) and notification of the salaries payable to the members of that body [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
12 Exchequer,—Treasury Bills (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2907), dated 25th October 1999 [by Act] [Miss Melanie Johnson].
13 Health and Safety,—Report and Accounts of the Health and Safety Commission for 1998–99, and Accounts of the Health and Safety Executive for 1998–99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 803] [Clerk of the House].
14 Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance,—Account of the Legal Aid Fund (Northern Ireland) for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 848] [Clerk of the House].
15 Museums and Galleries,—Accounts of the—
(1) Imperial War Museum, and
(2) Natural History Museum
for 1998–99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 846 and 845] [Clerk of the House].
16 National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Passport Delays of Summer 1999 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 812] [Clerk of the House].
17 National Lottery,—Report of Sport England and Summary Financial Statements of the English Sports Council Group for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, and Report of Sport England Lottery Fund Awards for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
18 Northern Ireland,—Account of the Public Income and Expenditure of Northern Ireland for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Command] [Cm. 4467] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].
19 Police (Northern Ireland),—Statement of Accounts of the Independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 847] [Clerk of the House].
20 Public Petitions,—Observations by the Minister for School Standards in the Department for Education and Employment on the Petition [22nd July] from residents of Cambridge and elsewhere against the closure of Coleridge Community College [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
21 Science and Technology,—Report and Summary Financial Statements of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
22 Severn Bridges,—Report and Financial Statements of Severn River Crossing plc for 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
23 Social Services (Training),—Account of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 844] [Clerk of the House].
24 Telecommunications,—Licences granted under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to—
(1) Carrier One Ltd,
(2) Farland Services UK Limited,
(3) GC Pan European Crossing UK Limited,
(4) ICO Services Limited,
(5) IFC Global (UK) Ltd,
(6) Kingston Communications (Hull) PLC,
(7) MTU Inform Europe Limited,
(8) PLDncompass Limited,
(9) Swisscom (UK) Limited,
(10) Tele2 Communications Services Limited,
(11) Telia UK Ltd, and
(12) USA Global Link (UK) Limited
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
1 Value Added Tax (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1994),—The Committee of Selection has discharged from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation Helen Southworth, Mr Anthony D. Wright, Mr Bob Blizzard and Mr Lawrie Quinn (nominated in respect of the Order); and appointed in substitution Mr Paul Truswell, Mr David Crausby, Mr Neil Turner and Mr Ivan Henderson.
2 Draft Insurance Brokers (Registration) Act 1977 Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation Mr Paul Truswell, Kali Mountford and Judy Mallaber (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and appointed in substitution Mr Neil Gerrard, Mr David Borrow and Mr Kerry Pollard.
Tuesday 26th October 1999.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
1 City of London (Ward Elections) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for further consideration of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill, as amended in the Committee;
Ordered, That the Bill be further considered on Tuesday 2nd November.
2 First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mrs Ray Michie reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Value Added Tax (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1994).
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
3 Organic Food and Farming Targets Bill,—Joan Ruddock, supported by Norman Baker, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Cynog Dafis, Mr David Drew, Julia Drown, Jane Griffiths, Mr Martyn Jones, Mrs Diana Organ, Mr John Randall, Mr Andrew Robathan and Mrs Betty Williams, presented a Bill to make provision regarding the setting and achievement of targets for organic farming and food consumption; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 5th November and to be printed [Bill 153].
4 Civil Registration (Access to Records),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the law relating to access to registers of births, marriages and deaths; and for connected purposes: And that Mr Keith Darvill, Mrs Eileen Gordon, Mr David Drew, Mr Clive Efford, Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West), Mr David Lidington and Bob Russell do prepare and bring it in.
5 Civil Registration (Access to Records) Bill,—Mr Keith Darvill accordingly presented a Bill to amend the law relating to access to registers of births, marriages and deaths; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 5th November and to be printed [Bill 154].
6 Police Numbers, Asylum Seekers, Immigration Control and the Government's Handling of Revelations Relating to Cold War Spies,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes the Government's incompetent handling and mismanagement of Home Office issues in general; further notes that the number of police officers in England and Wales has fallen by more than 1,000 since the General Election; further notes that the Home Secretary's recent announcement on police recruits will mean another fall in the number of police officers in England and Wales; further notes the chaos caused by the Government in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and the record numbers of asylum-seekers, many of them bogus, now arriving in the United Kingdom; further notes the recent revelations arising from the Mitrokhin Archive; and calls on the Government to increase police numbers, to improve the working of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, to reduce the numbers of bogus asylum-seekers arriving in the United Kingdom and to ensure that those who betray the United Kingdom to foreign powers are pursued with the utmost vigour—(Miss Ann Widdecombe);
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 3, to leave out from the word 'House' to the end of the Question and add the words 'applauds the Government for its achievements on Home Office issues; notes that the previous government left the youth justice system in disarray, left chaos in the immigration and asylum system, in particular as a result of provisions in the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, and that police numbers fell by 1,500 between 1992–93 and 1997–98; further notes the action that the Government has taken in asking the Intelligence and Security Committee to review the handling of the Mitrokhin Archive, including key decisions taken before 1997; and welcomes the Government's initiatives to provide new money to fund the recruitment of 5,000 police officers over and above the number that would otherwise have been recruited, comprehensively to tackle crime and disorder and to develop a fairer, faster and firmer immigration and asylum system, through the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which will better serve genuine refugees and help reduce the number of abusive claims in the United Kingdom', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Straw.)
And the Question being put, pursuant to Order [yesterday], That the original words stand part of the Question;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Stephen Day: 145.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Clelland, Mrs Anne McGuire: 371.
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So the Question was negatived.
And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Order:—It was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House applauds the Government for its achievements on Home Office issues; notes that the previous government left the youth justice system in disarray, left chaos in the immigration and asylum system, in particular as a result of provisions in the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, and that police numbers fell by 1,500 between 1992–93 and 1997–98; further notes the action that the Government has taken in asking the Intelligence and Security Committee to review the handling of the Mitrokhin Archive, including key decisions taken before 1997; and welcomes the Government's initiatives to provide new money to fund the recruitment of 5,000 police officers over and above the number that would otherwise have been recruited, comprehensively to tackle crime and disorder and to develop a fairer, faster and firmer immigration and asylum system, through the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which will better serve genuine refugees and help reduce the number of abusive claims in the United Kingdom.
7 State of the National Health Service,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes and applauds the dedication of those who work in the National Health Service but regrets the inadequacy of the support they receive from Her Majesty's Government in their efforts to deliver a first-class service; deplores the mismanagement of the National Health Service by Her Majesty's Government; regrets the continued distortion of clinical priorities in favour of political targets; urges the new Secretary of State to acknowledge the damage the waiting list initiative has caused to the National Health Service and to abandon waiting list targets as a measure of performance; calls on him to acknowledge the existence of rationing in the National Health Service and to ensure that in future such rationing takes place solely on the basis of clinical need; and calls for a fully informed and wide-ranging debate on the future of health care delivery to ensure that the people of this country have the health services they deserve—(Dr Liam Fox);
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word 'House' to the end of the Question and add the words 'applauds the dedication, skill and professionalism of the staff of the National Health Service but regrets that Her Majesty's Opposition seek to undermine the National Health Service at every turn; welcomes the Government's success in cutting waiting lists in line with its manifesto pledge and its programme to make services faster and more convenient; supports the Government's commitment to modernise cancer, heart disease and mental health services, and to ensure high standards of National Health Service care everywhere; notes that a modernised National Health Service funded through taxation and offering treatment according to need not ability to pay is both fairer and more efficient than private alternatives supported by the Opposition; and so believes that the National Health Service should be modernised not privatised', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Milburn.)
And the Question being proposed, pursuant to Order [yesterday], That the original words stand part of the Question;
Mr James Arbuthnot rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.
And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to.
And the Question being accordingly put;
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 341.
And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Order;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 330.
Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Stephen Day: 167.
So the Question was agreed to.
Resolved, That this House applauds the dedication, skill and professionalism of the staff of the National Health Service but regrets that Her Majesty's Opposition seek to
undermine the National Health Service at every turn; welcomes the Government's success in cutting waiting lists in line with its manifesto pledge and its programme to make services faster and more convenient; supports the Government's commitment to modernise cancer, heart disease and mental health services, and to ensure high standards of National Health Service care everywhere; notes that a modernised National Health Service funded through taxation and offering treatment according to need not ability to pay is both fairer and more efficient than private alternatives supported by the Opposition; and so believes that the National Health Service should be modernised not privatised.
8 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of the constituency of Spelthorne against proposals to cut services at Ashford Hospital, Middlesex, was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
9 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Clive Betts.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till five minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.55 p.m.
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
1 Dentists,—Draft Dental Auxiliaries (Amendment) Regulations 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].
2 National Health Service,—Bath and West Community National Health Service Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2918), dated 22nd October 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].
3 Northern Ireland,—(1) Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2789), and
(2) Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2790),
4 Criminal Justice,—Report and Accounts of the Parole Board for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 809] [Mr Secretary Straw].
5 Development of Tourism,—Report for 1999 and Accounts for 1998–99 of the British Tourist Authority, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
6 National Lottery,—Report of the Arts Council of England on the National Lottery for 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
7 Police,—Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary for 1998–99 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 804] [Mr Secretary Straw].
8 Police (Scotland),—Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland for 1998–99 [by Command] [Cm. 4464] [Mr Secretary Reid].
9 Sports Councils,—Review of sportscotland (previously the Scottish Sports Council) and Accounts of the Scottish Sports Council Group for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Reid].
Draft Financial Services Act 1986 (Restriction of Exemption) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Neil Gerrard and Mr Jonathan R. Shaw from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Dr Brian Iddon and Dr Howard Stoate.
Reports from Select Committees
1 Agriculture,—(1) Ninth Report from the Agriculture Committee [MAFF/Intervention Board Departmental Report 1999], together with an Appendix to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 852];
(2) Seventh Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Eighth Report from the Committee, on Sea Fishing], together with an Appendix; to be printed [No. 853];
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Marketing of Milk]; to be printed [No. 830-ii]; and
(4) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Implications for UK Agriculture and EU Agricultural Policy of Trade Liberalisation and the WTO Round; Marketing of Milk; Segregation of GM Foods]
[Mr Peter Luff].
2 Defence,—(1) Sixth Report from the Defence Committee [The Reserves Call Out Order 1999 and Progress of Territorial Army Restructuring]; to be printed, with Memoranda and the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 860]; and
(2) Seventh Report from the Committee [The Strategic Defence Review: Defence Medical Services], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 447]
[Mr Bruce George].
3 Education and Employment and Social Security,—(1) Sixth Special Report from the Education and Employment Committee, and
(2) Fifth Special Report from the Social Security Committee
[Government Response to the Sixth Report from the Education and Employment Committee and the Seventh Report from the Social Security Committee, on the ONE Service Pilots]; to be printed [No. 855] [Mr Derek Foster; Mr Archy Kirkwood].
4 Education and Employment,—(1) Seventh Special Report from the Education and Employment Committee [Government Response to the Seventh Report from the Committee, on the Performance and Future Role of the Employment Service]; to be printed [No. 858]; and
(2) Eighth Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Fifth Report from the Committee, on the Role of School Governors]; to be printed [No. 859]
[Mr Derek Foster].
5 Environmental Audit,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [EU Environmental Policy Integration]; to be printed [No. 384-ii]; and
(2) Memorandum laid before the Committee [A Sustainable Millennium Round]
[Mr John Horam].
6 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [The Work of the Health and Safety Executive]; to be printed [No. 828-i]; and
(2) Memoranda laid before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Committee [The Work of the Health and Safety Executive; The Environment Agency]; to be printed [Nos. 828 and 829]
[Mr Andrew F. Bennett].
7 Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee [Relations with the Russian Federation]; to be printed [No. 815-ii] [Mr Donald Anderson].
8 Home Affairs,—(1) Fourth Special Report from the Home Affairs Committee [Further Government Observations on the Fourth Report from the Committee, Session 1997–98, on Electoral Law and Administration]; to be printed [No. 856]; and
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Work of the Home Office]; to be printed [No. 857]
[Mr Robin Corbett].
9 Public Administration,—Fifth Special Report from the Select Committee on Public Administration [Government Response to the Third Report from the Committee, on the Freedom of Information Draft Bill]; to be printed [No. 831] [Dr Tony Wright].
10 Statutory Instruments,—Twenty-Eighth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 50-xxviii] [Mr David Tredinnick].
11 Trade and Industry,—Fourteenth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee [Draft Electronic Communications Bill], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 862] [Mr Martin O'Neill].
12 Treasury,—(1) Tenth Report from the Treasury Committee [Valuation Office Agency], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 420];
(2) Seventh Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Seventh Report from the Committee, on Public Service Agreements]; to be printed [No. 849];
(3) Eighth Special Report from the Committee [Responses by the Government and the Bank of England to the Eighth Report from the Committee, on the Monetary Policy Committee—Two Years On]; to be printed [No. 850];
(4) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [International Monetary Fund]; to be printed [No. 851-i]; and
(5) Memoranda laid before the Sub-Committee of the Committee [Valuation Office Agency]
[Mr Giles Radice].
13 Welsh Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee [The Role of the Secretary of State for Wales; European Structural Funds]; to be printed [Nos. 854 and 861-i] [Mr Martyn Jones].
Wednesday 27th October 1999.
The House met at half-past Nine o'clock.
1 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Keith Vaz);
And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
2 London Local Authorities Bill [Lords],—Ordered, That the Promoters of the London Local Authorities Bill [Lords] shall have leave to suspend proceedings thereon in order to proceed with the Bill, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament, provided that the Agents for the Bill give notice to the Clerks in the Private Bill Office of their intention to suspend further proceedings not later than the day before the close of the present Session and that all Fees due on the Bill up to that date be paid;
That, if the Bill is brought from the Lords in the next Session, the Agents for the Bill shall deposit in the Private Bill Office a declaration signed by them, stating that the Bill is the same, in every respect, as the Bill which was brought from the Lords in the present Session;
That, as soon as a certificate by one of the Clerks in the Private Bill Office, that such a declaration has been so deposited, has been laid upon the Table of the House, the Bill shall be read the first and second time and committed (and shall be recorded in the Journal of this House as having been so read and committed);
That all Petitions relating to the Bill presented in the present Session which stand referred to the Committee on the Bill, shall stand referred to the Committee on the Bill in the next Session;
That no Petitioners shall be heard before the Committee on the Bill, unless their Petition has been presented within the time limited, or has been the subject of a Resolution of this House to dispense with Standing Order 171A within the present Session, or has
Page 528 Wednesday 27th October 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
been deposited pursuant to paragraph (b) of Standing Order 126 relating to Private Business;
That, in relation to the Bill, Standing Order 127 relating to Private Business shall have effect as if the words "under Standing Order 126 (Reference to committee of petitions against Bill)" were omitted;
That no further Fees shall be charged in respect of any proceedings on the Bill in respect of which Fees have already been incurred during the present Session;
That these Orders be Standing Orders of the House.—(The Chairman of Ways and Means.)
Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
3 Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Frank Cook reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Financial Services Act 1986 (Restriction of Exemptions) Order 1999.
4 European Standing Committee B,—Mr Jim Cunningham reported from European Standing Committee B the following Resolution:
That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 6793/97, a draft Directive restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products; and supports the Government's objective of securing a permanent exemption for the domestic use of energy.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
5 European Standing Committee C,—Dr Michael Clark reported from European Standing Committee C the following Resolution:
That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents Nos. 5562/98, a draft Directive on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the Information Society, and 8723/99, an amended draft of this Directive; and of European Union Documents Nos. 5123/99, a draft Directive on certain legal aspects of electronic commerce in the internal market, and 10644/99, an amended draft of this Directive, and the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Department of Trade and Industry on 18 October 1999; and concerning the draft Directive on the harmonisation of copyright, supports the Government's view that while harmonisation of copyright laws for the digital age is essential, the outcome should be a regime that safeguards a fair balance of rights and interests between the various categories of rights holders and between rights holders, users and intermediaries, and has due regard to subsidiarity; and concerning the draft Directive on electronic commerce in the internal market, welcomes the Government's continued efforts to put in place a light but effective framework for the development of electronic commerce within the internal market; and supports the Government's view that such a framework is necessary to ensure consumer and business confidence in electronic commerce.
6 Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:
The Lords have agreed to the House of Lords Bill, with Amendments; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
7 House of Lords Bill,—Lords Amendments to the House of Lords Bill to be considered to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 156].
8 Building Regulation,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to regulate the building industry; and to provide for adjudication in disputes involving domestic building contracts: And that Mr Tony Baldry, Mr Gerald Bermingham, Mrs Helen Brinton, Mr John Butterfill, Sir Sydney Chapman, Mr Christopher Chope, Mr Bill O'Brien and Mr Bill Olner do prepare and bring it in.
9 Building Regulation Bill,—Mr Tony Baldry accordingly presented a Bill to regulate the building industry; and to provide for adjudication in disputes involving domestic building contracts: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 5th November and to be printed [Bill 155].
10 Adjournment (Report from the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Jim Dowd);
The Motion was, with leave of the House, withdrawn.
11 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Tony McNulty.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-four minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
1 Value Added Tax,—Value Added Tax (Input Tax) (Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2930), dated 26th October 1999 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
2 Air Force (Constitution),—Regulations of the Defence Council amending—
(1) Air Publication 1296A (3rd Edition), relating to Assessment of Medical Fitness, and
(2) Air Publication 3393 (5th Edition), relating to Commissioning of Officers and Terms of Service of Officers and Airmen (Aircrew) in the Royal Air Force
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
3 Forestry,—Reports and Accounts for 1998–99 of—
(1) Forest Enterprise,
(2) Forest Research, and
(3) the Forestry Commission
with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 800, 801 and 799] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
4 Mental Health,—Paper, entitled Making Decisions: The Government's proposals for making decisions on behalf of mentally incapacitated adults [by Command] [Cm. 4465] [Mr David Lock].
5 National Heritage (Scotland),—Accounts of the National Library of Scotland for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 863] [Clerk of the House].
6 National Lottery,—Accounts of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 864] [Clerk of the House].
7 Post Office,—Report of the Post Office Users' National Council for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
8 Public Accounts,—Treasury Minute on the Twenty-third and the Twenty-fifth to Twenty-seventh and Thirtieth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1998–99 [by Command] [Cm. 4469] [Mr Stephen Timms].
9 Transport (Scotland),—Reports and Accounts for 1998–99 of—
(1) Caledonian MacBrayne Limited,
(2) Caledonian MacBrayne Holdings Limited, and
(3) David MacBrayne Limited
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].
1 Draft Working Time Regulations:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Dr Michael Clark Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Ben Bradshaw, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Ben Chapman, Mr Brian Cotter, Mr Nick Gibb, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Mr Alan Hurst, Mr Alan Johnson, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Ms Margaret Moran, Mr Stephen O'Brien, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Lawrie Quinn, Mr Bill Tynan, Mr David Wilshire and Ms Rosie Winterton.
2 Draft Jobseeker's Allowance Amendment (New Deal) Regulations 1999:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Humfrey Malins Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr John Bercow, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Bob Blizzard, Christine Butler, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Jeff Ennis, Mr David Faber, Mr Clifford Forsythe, Dr Ian Gibson, Mrs Linda Gilroy, Tessa Jowell, Ms Jackie Lawrence, Shona McIsaac, Mr John Randall, Bob Russell and Mr Peter Temple-Morris.
3 Draft Tax Credits (New Category of Child Care Provider) Regulations 1999:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Barry Jones Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Jackie Ballard, Mr Kevin Barron, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Simon Burns, Mr James Clappison, Dr David Clark, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Jean Corston, Mr Clive Efford, Ms Margaret Hodge, Mr Ken Livingstone, Kali Mountford, Mr Tom Pendry, Mr Jonathan R. Shaw, Mr Richard Shepherd and Steve Webb.
4 Draft Licensing and Registered Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1999:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Humfrey Malins Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Tony Colman, Mr James Cran, Mr Hilton Dawson, Jim Dowd, Mr Mark Fisher, Mr Roger Godsiff, Mrs Eileen Gordon, Mr Win Griffiths, Mr George Howarth, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Lembit O�pik, Mr Andrew Robathan, The Reverend Martin Smyth, Mr Desmond Swayne, Mr Jimmy Wray and Mr Anthony D. Wright.
5 Draft Chartered Institute of Patent Agents Order 1999:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Frank Cook Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Norman Baker, Mr John Burnett, Mr Bill Etherington, Ms Harriet Harman, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr Andy King, Mr David Lock, Mrs Anne McGuire, Bridget Prentice, Mr Gwyn Prosser, Mr Allan Rogers, Mr Mohammad Sarwar, Mr Robert Syms, Mr John M. Taylor, Sir Raymond Whitney and Derek Wyatt.
6 Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1877):
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Roger Gale Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Ms Diane Abbott, Mr Richard Allan, Mr Graham Brady, Mr Jamie Cann, Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Nigel Jones, Mr Bob Laxton, Mr David Lidington, Judy Mallaber, Mr Bill Michie, Mr Mike O'Brien, Mr Nick St. Aubyn, Mr Keith Simpson, Angela Smith and Helen Southworth.
1 Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Millennium Dome]; to be printed [No. 826-ii] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].
2 Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee [The role of private companies in the supply of state education services]; to be printed [No. 763-ii] [Valerie Davey].
3 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—(1) Nineteenth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [Young and Newly Qualified Drivers: Standards and Training]; together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 515];
(2) Twentieth Report from the Committee [Town and Country Parks]; together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [Nos. 477-I and III];
(3) Fifth Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Tenth Report from the Committee, on Regional Development Agencies]; to be printed [No. 867]; and
(4) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Environmental Impact of Supermarket Competition]; to be printed [No. 841-i]
[Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].
4 European Scrutiny,—Twenty-ninth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 34-xxix] [Mr Bill Rammell].
5 Modernisation of the House of Commons,—First Special Report from the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons [Work of the Committee: Second Progress Report]; to be printed [No. 865] [Margaret Beckett].
6 Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Northern Ireland Prison Service]; to be printed [No. 866-i] [Mr Peter Brooke].
7 Science and Technology,—(1) Fourth Report from the Science and Technology Committee [The Regulation of the Biotechnology Industry]; together with an Appendix to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 535];
(2) Second Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Second Report from the Committee, on The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts]; to be printed [No. 822]; and
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Scientific Advisory System: Diabetes and Driving Licences]; to be printed [No. 823-i]
[Dr Michael Clark].
Thursday 28th October 1999.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
1 City of London (Ward Elections) Bill,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Promoters of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill shall have leave to suspend proceedings thereon in order to proceed with the Bill in the next Session of Parliament, provided that the Agents for the Bill give notice to the Clerks in the Private Bill Office not later than the day before the close of the present Session of their intention to suspend further proceedings and that all Fees due on the Bill up to that date be paid;
That on the fifth day on which the House sits in the next Session the Bill shall be presented to the House;
That there shall be deposited with the Bill a declaration signed by the Agents for the Bill, stating that the Bill is the same, in every respect, as the Bill presented in the House in the present Session;
That as soon as a certificate by one of the Clerks in the Private Bill Office, that such a declaration has been so deposited, has been laid upon the Table of the House, the Bill shall be read the first and second time and committed (and shall be recorded in the Journal of this House as having been so read and committed) and shall be committed to the Chairman of Ways and Means;
Page 532 Thursday 28th October 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
That the Chairman of Ways and Means shall make such Amendments thereto as have been made by the committee in the present Session, and shall report the Bill as amended to the House forthwith, and the Bill, so amended, shall be ordered to be considered;
That these Orders be Standing Orders of the House—(The Chairman of Ways and Means);
And objection being taken to further proceeding;
Ordered, That the Debate be resumed on Tuesday 2nd November at Seven o'clock.
2 Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bowen Wells reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Insurance Brokers (Registration) Act 1977 (Amendment) Order 1999.
The Lords have agreed to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill, with Amendments; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) Bill,—The Lords communicate that they have come to the following Resolutions in respect of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) Bill, viz:—
That the promoters of the Bill have leave to suspend any further proceedings thereon in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament, provided that notice of their intention to do so is lodged in the Office of the Clerk of the Parliaments not later than Twelve noon on Thursday 4th November next and that all fees due on or before that day have been paid;
That if the Bill is brought from the House of Commons in the next Session the Agent for the Bill deposit in the Private Bill Office a declaration signed by them stating that the Bill is the same in every respect as the Bill which was brought from the Commons in the present Session;
That the proceedings on the Bill in the next Session of Parliament be pro forma in regard to every stage through which the Bill has passed in the present Session, and that no new fees be charged to such stages;
That the Private Business Standing Orders apply to the Bill in the next Session only in regard to any stage through which the Bill has not passed during the present Session;
London Local Authorities Bill [Lords],—The Lords communicate that they have considered the Message from the Commons [yesterday] relating to the London Local Authorities Bill [Lords], and have come to the following Resolution in respect of the said Bill, viz:—
That the promoters of the Bill have leave to suspend any further proceedings thereon in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament, provided that notice of their intention to do so is lodged in the Office of the Clerk of the Parliaments not later than Twelve noon on Thursday 4th November next;
That the Bill be deposited in the Office of the Clerk of the Parliaments not later than noon on the second sitting day in the next Session with a declaration annexed, signed by the Agent, stating that the Bill is the same in every respect as the Bill at the last stage of the proceedings thereon in this House in the present Session;
That the Private Business Standing Orders apply to the Bill in the next Session only in regard to any stage through which the Bill has not passed during the present Session.
4 Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill,—Lords Amendments to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill to be considered to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 157].
5 Road Traffic (Enforcement Powers) Bill [Lords],—The Order for reading the Road Traffic (Enforcement Powers) Bill [Lords] a second time on Friday 5th November was read and discharged.
6 Adjournment (Agriculture),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Graham Allen);
And it being Seven o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Sessional Order [16th December].
7 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-six minutes past Seven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
1 Foreign Affairs,—Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Session 1998–99, on Gibraltar [by Command] [Cm. 4470] [Mr Secretary Cook].
2 Judicial Appointments,—Report by the Lord Chancellor on Judicial Appointments for 1998–99 [by Command] [Cm. 4449] [Mr David Lock].
3 Metropolitan Police,—Account of the Metropolitan Police Fund for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Command] [Cm. 4460] [Mr Secretary Straw].
4 Museums and Galleries,—Account of the National Maritime Museum for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 870] [Clerk of the House].
5 National Lottery,—Account of the Sports Council for Northern Ireland Lottery Distribution for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 869] [Clerk of the House].
6 Science and Technology,—Report of the Medical Research Council for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
1 Health,—(1) Sixth Report from the Health Committee [Procedures related to Adverse Clinical Incidents and Outcomes in Medical Care], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 549]; and
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Procedures related to Adverse Clinical Incidents and Outcomes in Medical Care]
[Mr David Hinchliffe].
2 International Development,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee [The Future of Sanctions; The International Monetary Fund]; to be printed [Nos. 454-vii and 868-i] [Mr Bowen Wells].
Friday 29th October 1999.
1 Private Bills [Lords] (No Standing Order not previously enquired into applicable),—The Speaker laid upon the Table a Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, That, in the case of the following Bill, originating in the Lords and referred after the First Reading thereof, no Standing Order not previously enquired into is applicable thereto, viz.:
United Reformed Church Bill [Lords].
Bill to be read a second time.
Page 534 Friday 29th October 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
2 Adjournment (Future of Broadcasting),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Greg Pope);
3 Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Monday 1st November, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until any Message from the Lords, relating to the Greater London Authority Bill, has been received.—(Jim Dowd.)
4 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Jim Dowd);
And it being half-past Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
5 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Jim Dowd.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-nine minutes to Three o'clock, adjourned till Monday 1st November.
1 Disabled Persons,—Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Serco Metrolink T68A Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2932), dated 27th October 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
2 Education,—Education (Amendment of School and Pupil Information Regulations) (England) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2937), dated 25th October 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
3 European Communities,—Nuclear Reactors (Environmental Impact Assessment for Decommissioning) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2892), dated 19th October 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
4 Isle of Man,—Excise Duty (Amendment of the Isle of Man Act 1979) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2925), dated 26th October 1999 [by Act] [Mr Stephen Timms].
5 Telegraphs,—Wireless Telegraphy (Cordless Telephone Apparatus) (Restriction and Marking) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2934), dated 27th October 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
6 National Lottery,—Report and Accounts of the Millennium Commission for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 796] [Clerk of the House].
7 Pensions,—Accounts of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 872] [Clerk of the House].
8 Trade Union and Labour Relations,—Reports of the Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members and of the Commissioner for Protection against Unlawful Industrial Action for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
9 Treasury Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the United Kingdom Debt Management Office for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 805] [Miss Melanie Johnson].
10 Welsh Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of Cadw Welsh Historic Monuments for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 802] [Mr Secretary Murphy].
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Part I Alphabetical Index
Part II Alphabetical Index
Prepared 5 February 2007


text:
Lease-Purchase Strategy Fueling Fleet Acquisition
January 13, 2016 • by Paul Clinton
Palm Beach County, Fla., uses one of the more common vehicle purchase methods: using a replacement fund. Photo courtesy of Palm Beach County.
Facing rising maintenance costs for its aging fleet, the City of Baltimore hired Mercury Associates Inc. in 2012 to analyze the city's utilization of its fleet, vehicle cycling timetable, and maintenance operation. At the time, Mercury determined that the city was facing a $124 million backlog of vehicles that needed replacing.
For as long as anyone could remember, the city had used a replacement reserve (sometimes called an internal service fund) and charge-back system to raise the capital needed to purchase new vehicles. Under that financing model, the Fleet Management Division of the city's Department of General Services charged other agencies a monthly fee to fund replacement costs. The city had been spending between $6 million and $10 million per year from the reserve fund, which wasn't keeping up with vehicle replacement needs.
A Different Approach
The fleet consultant suggested the city implement a lease-purchase strategy that would leverage cash to close the backlog. This strategy would take advantage of low interest rates and enable the city to make a $90 million down payment over a three-year period to eliminate the backlog and modernize the fleet.
"Baltimore didn't just pick its numbers out of the air," said Paul Lauria, Mercury's president. "We developed a multi-year replacement plan for the 5,300-unit fleet that consists of more than 150 different types of vehicles and equipment assets."
This strategy is known by various names such as tax-exempt leasing, municipal leasing, and "dollar buy-out" — the instrument gives the agency an option to buy the vehicle for $1 at end of lease term — and has become a more popular option for tackling large vehicle replacement backlogs in a low-interest-rate environment.
Baltimore suspended the use of its replacement reserve fund with the 2013 fiscal year and has committed to this new strategy that's part leasing, part borrowing, said Chichi Nyagah-Nash, deputy division chief for the fleet unit. The city has entered the third round of its plan to replace vehicles at $30 million per year.
"Once you've forfeited the monies in the reserve fund, you're committing to lease-purchasing for the long term," Nyagah-Nash said. "We don't have that cushion any more. I'm not necessarily saying we would continue at $30 million (worth of purchases a year). We're now doing some analysis about how the $90 million put a dent in the replacement backlog."
Low Interest Rates, Tight Budgets
Macroeconomic conditions created by the recession that struck hardest toward the close of 2008 have increased the usage by government fleet managers of funding strategies beyond vehicle replacement funds. Historically low interest rates have spurred more financing and leasing, as lingering effects from the recession continue to hamstring municipal, county, state, and federal agencies with constrained budgets.
"Interest rates are at historic lows, giving fleets an unprecedented advantage in stretching their acquisition dollars," said Maria Neve, government sales manager for Merchants Fleet Management. "The cost of funds is so low that it may make sense to lease vehicles to replace older units that require significant maintenance, and the cost savings can be greater than the interest paid."
Government jurisdictions typically use one or more of four vehicle funding strategies, including outright cash purchasing, replacement reserve funds, leasing, and various forms of debt financing. Financially self-sufficient "enterprise fund" agencies that can charge users of electricity, power, or certain other city services usually are successful in replacing vehicles using the first of these strategies.
Outright cash purchases typically are funded by means of a direct appropriation from the city council or other elected leaders in the form of a budgeted, approved amount each year to buy vehicles. However, these allocations can fall prey to political winds, as elected leaders look to rob Peter to pay Paul, when they need funds to resurface roads, build bridges, or pay for other projects or programs.
Government fleets can finance vehicle purchases using borrowing or bond revenue if they want to own the asset at the end of the funding period. Financing more commonly comes into play for heavier trucks and equipment or vehicles that remain in the fleet for the longer term.
Public fleets can often access favorable financing terms from manufacturers for vehicles such as fire ladder trucks or pumpers, street sweepers, refuse trucks, or plow trucks expected to stay in the fleet for 10-15 years. Borrowing is advantageous because it allows a larger agency to acquire more vehicles and spread out the capital expenditure over a longer time frame.
Low interest rates have driven more bond-driven financing in recent years in larger municipalities such as Cleveland, Detroit, and Cincinnati. In January of 2015, Cleveland's City Council approved a privately offered $100-million municipal bond that included $20 million to replace police vehicles, fire trucks, refuse haulers, and snow plows. The city is now evaluating the condition of its fleet to determine how to spend the funds.
"I have seen more and more people using bonds," said Douglas Weichman, the director of Palm Beach County's fleet management division. "I've seen governments who are short on cash and vehicles that are in bad shape go to leasing. Why leasing? They just don't have the capital available to replace vehicles."
Tax-Exempt Leasing Explained
Baltimore isn't the only city using tax-exempt leasing in recent years. Grant Capital Management, which is based in the outskirts of Baltimore, has carved out a niche in this area by setting up deals for Baltimore; the District of Columbia; Fulton County, Ga.; and municipal fleets in Virginia.
Tax-exempt leasing offers a similar approach to bond financing without several pitfalls, including paying for vehicles that are no longer in the fleet or dealing with voter sentiment. The strategy also helps a fleet eliminate the higher maintenance costs of vehicles that have reached the end of their lifespan, and can eventually provide an economically self-sustaining model for replacing vehicles.
"There are various techniques for financing vehicles that look like a bond and smell like a bond, but are not a bond," said J.P. Grant, the company's founder. "Tax-exempt leasing is a debt instrument like a bond, but interest is tax exempt. It's easier to implement, and you don't need a voter referendum."
Grant secured the first two $30-million rounds of funding for Baltimore's fleet renewal plan, and helped Washington, D.C. acquire $100 million over four years to replace vehicles.
Tax-exempt leasing deals also include a "non-appropriation clause" that gives the government jurisdiction the flexibility of canceling the contract at the end of any fiscal year and returning the vehicle.
The City of Baltimore has shifted to lease-purchase
financing to replace its aging fleet. Photo via Wikimedia.
Leasing Uptick in Public Fleet Management
Vehicle and equipment leasing, once the province of the commercial fleet world, has offered another acquisition option that allows public fleets to replace a greater number of vehicles with available funds, eliminate rising maintenance costs from older vehicles, and outsource more specialized functions such as remarketing to fleet management companies.
"The lower interest rates have allowed them to go out and purchase without creating a replacement fund," said Bob Crowe, vice president of sales for Acme Auto Leasing. "On the government side, one of their biggest issues is that they're losing tax revenue. The funds aren't being replaced; it just keeps getting tighter and tighter. Each department is fighting over a smaller bundle of money."
Constrained budgets have forced fleet managers to extend the life of their vehicles. Lessors say vehicles often stay in fleets for at least three more years or an average of 40,000 miles. While leasing is forbidden in some agency bylaws, it also offers an appealing option to government leaders who often tie up capital funding in the near term and prepare budgets for two to three years into the future.
Municipal leasing varies from commercial leasing, because government agencies often keep their vehicles longer, need more certainty for budget forecasting, and typically have less interest in becoming a vehicle remarketing expert. Just turn in the keys at the end of the lease, and walk away. As a result, closed-end leases predominate, lessors said.
A closed-end lease is similar to a retail lease in that it has a set monthly payment that doesn't change, typically provides a term of three to five years, and includes overage charges if drivers exceed pre-set mileage benchmarks.
Federal agencies predominately use closed-end leasing because vehicles are used for a set time period and released. These agencies acquire their vehicles through GSA Leasing and then turn to the commercial lessors once GSA's allocation for vehicle funding runs out in a given year.
"They use a closed-end lease for a set period of time, and then we sell off the vehicle into the aftermarket arena," Crowe said. "They're better off running them for a set period of time before they run into maintenance issues. They can then take advantage of the manufacturers' incentives and replace the vehicles with newer vehicles two or three years later. It allows them to budget their costs."
Police vehicles used by patrol officers are also good candidates for municipal leases at a term of between 36 to 60 months because these aggressively driven vehicles bring back less residual value at auction. Most agencies will take advantage of the $1 buy-out lease finance option, Crowe said.
The alternative, an open-end lease that may include a Terminal Rent Adjustment Clause (TRAC), has become the dominant leasing instrument in the commercial fleet world. These leases are less restrictive with their shorter terms and month-to-month approach, but place the onus on the fleet to manage a vehicle's residual value. A TRAC allows the fleet to collect any proceeds after the vehicle's sale at auction.
Some police and sheriff's agencies use open-end leasing for their undercover and detective vehicles that stay in the fleet for 12–18 months, before they are cycled out, Neve said. Others use closed-end leases with terms of 18–36 months, according to Crowe.
Leasing provides tax-exempt government agencies an advantage when they're looking to add green vehicles to their fleets. Because government agencies aren't eligible for the tax incentives associated with battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, they should partner with a lessor to acquire the vehicle with the incentive to pass along the savings.
Lessors such as Merchants, Acme, Enterprise Fleet Management, Vision Fleet, and LeasePlan operate in the municipal realm to provide this service to help agencies acquire these vehicles at a lower cost.
"There's a big benefit from leasing for alternative fuels and fully electric vehicles," Neve said. "With the federal tax credit on electric vehicles, state and local governments are not eligible for it by purchasing, but can be eligible for it by leasing. The fleet management can take advantage of that on their behalf and pass that benefit along to the customer."
State agencies especially have been using this strategy after facing mandates often from their own lawmakers to add more zero-emission vehicles and other cleaner vehicles to their fleets.
"States have mandates to use alt-fuel vehicles," Neve said. "It allows them to obtain the vehicles at a cheaper cost, and cut down on emissions."
And lastly, leasing vehicles through a fleet management company can benefit a smaller agency that doesn't have the staffing for remarketing expertise or license and titling work.
"Smaller fleets may not have the bandwidth to deal with licensing or remarketing," said Palm Beach County's Weichman. "We have a whole section that handles that."
Related: How Will Public Fleet Finances Fare in 2016?
Read more about Fleet Budget Fleet Replacement Fund Open-End Leases Closed-End Leases Lease-Purchase City of Baltimore Acme Auto Leasing Merchants Fleet

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This entry was posted on sábado, febrero 16th, 2019 at 9:15 pm by Carlos Javier Barazón Echezarreta and is filed under exposiciones. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


Here's something for everyone. Last year, at a local Big Lots, I purchased a collection of Holiday cartoons and films from a company named Mill Creek Entertainment, known for marketing films and TV shows on the cheap and watched a film entitled "A Christmas Without Snow." This film was made during the early '80s and starred Michael Learned from "The Waltons", John Housemann, and James Cromwell. It told the story of a single mother who travels to San Francisco before Christmas with her son and learns to sing Handel's Messiah in a local choir and Housemann stars as the choir leader who teaches them all to sing the Messiah. This is a great film and I think everyone should find this wonderful gem.


Pause for a moment and savor this: The population of endangered Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico grew from 75 to 83 last year. That's nearly double the 2009 count.
It's a victory for our shared national values, which are expressed in the Endangered Species Act.
OK. Enough savoring. Now, back to a reality.
Lobos remain perilously close to extinction's cliff, and Arizona's Legislature is poised to give them a shove over the edge.
The Senate Government and Environment Committee approved three measures this week aimed at wolf reintroduction like a bullet to the brain.
SB 1211 would allow the Arizona Department of Agriculture or ranchers to kill wolves suspected of eating beef without fear of federal prosecution — an amnesty from federal law that Arizona lacks the authority to grant.
SB 1212 appropriates $250,000 from the general fund "for litigation expenses." That'll come in handy.
A resolution, SCR 1006, calls for shifting management of this endangered species from federal to state control and focusing reintroduction efforts on the mountains of Mexico. Because, of course, Arizona can dictate to the governments of two nations.
These measures are championed by Republican Sen. Gail Griffin. All passed the committee on party-line votes.
Instead of trying to undermine reintroduction that began in 1998, the focus should be on finding ways for wolves and public-land ranchers to co-exist.
Such a peace plan exists. Lawmakers heard about it at the hearing — right before voting to approve the anti-wolf, anti-federal government stuff.
Craig Miller of the Defenders of Wildlife told the committee his group is working with ranchers on a "payment for presence" plan that would compensate ranchers just for tolerating wolves on the land. That's in addition to long-standing programs to compensate ranchers for cattle lost to wolves.
The reintroduction effort has been sensitive — some say overly sensitive — to the concerns of ranchers, and some ranchers accept that they don't have exclusive rights to the public land they lease. Some remain viscerally opposed to wolves.
The narrow views of the anti-lobo ranchers are at the heart of this legislative assault. Testimony in favor of the measures included anecdotes dating to the first release of wolves 16 years ago as evidence of the need for legislative action. Times change, people. Let's move on.
This legislative "fix" is ostensibly because ranchers can hunt down and kill bears or mountain lions they suspect of killing livestock, but they can't do that with federally protected wolves. Of course not. Bears and lions are plentiful. Wolves are an endangered species.
Support for the legislation is couched in talk about protecting ranchers from the costly effects of a federal program. But the hard truth is these ranchers likely wouldn't have ranches if they weren't using federal land.
Blaming the federal government is an easy sell in this state. When it comes to the wolf-reintroduction program, it's too easy.
We are all Americans, after all, and we all benefit from efforts to restore and preserve the magnificent wild places and creatures that enrich our state and our nation.


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The Omnibus Law numbered 7143 ("Omnibus Law") was published in Official Gazette number 30425 on 18 May 2018. Apart from the other amendments, the Omnibus Law amends the Construction Law numbered 3194 ("Law"). Pursuant with Clause 16 of Omnibus Law, Provisional Clause 16 has been amended to the Law. According to Provisional Clause 16 in order to provide the construction concord and license the buildings which have been built before 31 December 2017 without license or against the license and its annexes, the buildings will be registered in the Construction Registration System in case of providing the conditions mentioned in this clause. To realize the registration, the application must be made until 31 October 2018 and the fee must be paid until 31 December 2018.
The price of the constructions is determined in accordance with the sum of property tax value determined in Property Tax Law numbered 1319 and the cost price determined by Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. For houses 3%, for the commercial uses 5% of the price mentioned above must be paid to be registered in Construction Registration System. Council of Ministers has competence to increase the price up to twice and decrease to half and Council of Ministers can extend the duration of registration for one year. In addition to these, with the Construction Registration Certificate, by the consent of all the owners the condominium of the building can be provided.
The Construction Registration Certificate is valid till the urban transformation and the reconstruction of the building. But in case of renewal of the building which have already Construction Registration Certificate, the current legislation concerning construction will be applied.
If you would like to read the Omnibus Law, please click here.


text:
Destinations, Middle East
Lebanon tourism ministry irked with Homeland's portrayal of Beirut; considers suing
Ruth Sherlock, Telegraph UK
- Oct 19, 2012 9:12 am
While some criticism is justified and nothing will happen with these protests against portrayal, case of bad timing as well, after today's big bomb blast in Beirut.
Lebanon is seeking to take legal action against the award-winning American television series Homeland for its portrayal of Beirut as a city riven with terrorists.
In the eagerly awaited econd episode of the second season of the CIA thriller millions of viewers tuned in to watch as the protagonists hunted terrorists through the narrow, dirty and dangerous streets of "Beirut".
But Fady Abboud, Lebanon's minister of tourism, who has spent a small fortune trying to revive the country's reputation as the Paris of the Middle East, expressed outrage at the "serious misrepresentation" of the city.
(AP Photo/Showtime, Ronen Akerman)
"We are following the case legally. I raised this at the cabinet meeting and the president asked the minister for justice and the minister of communications to see what can be done," said Mr Abboud.
"I am calling on all young Lebanese adults to do what they need to do; to write blogs, to call the BBC and CNN to try to raise awareness that Beirut is not a city of Kalashnikov and war."
The Homeland episode's title, Beirut is back, appropriates a phrase that has often been used in newspapers in recent years to describe the city's resurgence as a vibrant capital. The New York Times ranks Beirut as a must-see destination and Lonely Planet lists it as one of the 10 greatest comeback cities in the world.
Residents expressed bafflement at the episode's description of modern day "Hamra Street". What in the programme is a shoddy quarter where gunmen leap from cars and harass terrified women is actually a busy commercial centre of top-brand Western clothing chains and boutiques.
In the show, Carrie Mathison, played by Claire Danes, continuously dons the hair-covering hijab, but women in the part of Beirut where the scene is reportedly set are more often seen patrolling the street in skin-tight jeans, bouffant hair and Jimmy Choos. "The Lebanese are intelligent enough to use such a thing to our advantage," said Mr Abboud. "I am calling on youths to splice images of the war-torn Hamra of Homeland with the real street.
"They should display it in Skybar," he added referring to one of Beirut's sophisticated and expensive nightclubs that comes complete with valet to park the Porsches and Jaguars in which the clientele tend to arrive.
To add insult to injury for the Lebanese tourism ministry, Beirut is back is filmed in neighbouring Israel, a country with which Lebanon technically is still at war. A short documentary by Showtime, the channel behind Homeland, on how the episode was made, shows the programme filmed in several locations across Israel, including the city of Haifa.
Tom Fletcher, the British ambassador to Lebanon, who has campaigned for Westerners to reassess their perception of the country told Executive, the Lebanese magazine that broke the story that "Homeland is one of life's joys, but Lebanon tends to get a rough time from filmmakers – I'd encourage people to see the real Beirut."
Showtime did not return a request for comment.
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Tags: beirut, lebanon, tourism
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